Duolingo English Test: A Comprehensive Guide
In recent years, India has become the hub of aspirants who wish to pursue their higher education in foreign universities. So it becomes very important to understand the processes involved in the admission procedure. One such important step is the English language proficiency test which becomes one of the defining criteria in getting your dream universities.
Through this blog, we have tried to provide a detailed guide for the Duolingo English Test.
- Introduction of Duolingo English Test
- Importance of Duolingo Test
- Exam Pattern, Eligibility & Fees, Syllabus of the Test
- Test Pattern of the Duolingo English Test
- Detailed Guide of Duolingo English Test
- Sections of the Test
- Eligibility for the Test
- Fees of the Test
- Requirements of the Test
- Validity of the Test
- How to Prepare for Duolingo English Test?
- On the day of Exam
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Introduction of Duolingo English Test
The Duolingo English Test is a standardised test of the English language that was developed by Duolingo to assess the language skills of foreign aspirants. The test is relatively cheaper as compared to IELTS & TOEFL. Moreover, the students can appear for the test from any place and at any time. The Duolingo test initially focused on developing access to higher education for students coming from lower-income groups. The impact of the global pandemic shrieked the offline test, and there was a greater need for an online mode of examination. This resulted in the acceptance of the Duolingo test by various universities across the world.
Importance of Duolingo Test
- Gaining Worldwide Recognition: 5000 universities widely use the Duolingo English Test as an admission criterion for selecting international students, including Harvard, Stanford, MIT, London School of Economics, Imperial College London, and Kingston University. In the case of countries like Ireland, it is even accepted as a part of the visa process.
- Uniqueness of the Test: The test is adaptive compared to other tests like TOEFL and IELTS. The unique feature of the test is that it takes only an hour to complete. The test is relatively shorter than IELTS (2 hours 45 minutes) and TOEFL (2 hours 30 minutes or 3 hours based on the mode chosen by the student) Students can appear for it from anywhere and at any time. The Duolingo test fee is $59 or 4,897 rupees in India which is relatively cheaper as compared to the high prices of TOEFL ($205) & IELTS (INR 17,000).
- Improves Language Skills: The test is highly efficient in improving English speaking skills since the test measures the reading, writing, speaking & listening abilities of the students. The standardised score offered helps the students to assess their proficiency and demonstrate the same to the institutes or employers.
Immigration & Visa Process: The worldwide recognition gained by the test makes it one of the most acceptable & reliable measures to test the English skills of students. The score is accepted by various countries across the world, which enables the students to use it for visa & immigration purposes, providing another prospect to the students who are planning to pursue their studies abroad.
Exam Pattern, Eligibility & Fees, Syllabus of the Test
The Duolingo English Test is scored on a scale of 10-160. The duration of the examination is 60 mins to be taken in online mode & the results of the test are declared within 2 days. The test is divided into 3 major sections. This includes reading, listening, & writing followed by a video interaction. The fees for the test is $59 or 4,987 rupees in India.
Also read – How to Find the Perfect Study Abroad Program
Test Pattern of the Duolingo English Test
The Duolingo English Test is divided into 3 major sections: an introduction, an adaptive test & video interaction. The introduction is 5 minutes long which allows the candidates to check the functioning of their webcams, microphone, etc. The adaptive test is 45 minutes long & is further divided into 3 major sections that analyse the reading, listening & writing abilities of the students. The video interaction is the final section of the test which evaluates the speaking ability of candidates.
| Section | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | 5 mins | To check the workings of microphones, webcam, connectivity, etc. Students need to submit their govt IDs for proof. Candidates go through the guidelines and pattern of the test. |
| Adaptive Test | 45 mins | The test is divided into 3 sections: Reading Writing Listening |
| Video Interaction | 10 mins | A video interview allows to analyse the speaking ability of the student |
Detailed Guide of Duolingo English Test
The test is divided into 3 sections which involve introduction, adaptive test & video interaction. Each section has its own significance. For example, the introduction section ensures the functioning of hardware like microphones, web-cams, internet connectivity, etc. This is followed by the adaptive test which is further divided into 3 sub-sections. The last section is video interaction which measures the speaking ability of the candidate. The sub-division of the adaptive section includes: reading, writing & listening.
| Section | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | 5 mins | To check the workings of microphones, webcam, connectivity, etc. Students need to submit their govt IDs for proof. Candidates go through the guidelines and pattern of the test. |
| Adaptive Test | 45 mins | The test is divided into 3 sections: Reading Writing Listening |
| Video Interaction | 10 mins | A video interview allows to analyse the speaking ability of the student |
Sections of the Test
Reading
In this section, candidates are required to read short passages and answer the comprehension questions. These can be of the following types:
- Fill-in-the-blanks, multiple-choice questions, etc.
- Choose the correct word in English from the given set of options.
Writing
This section involves 2 open-ended questions which require written responses from the students. Candidates may be asked to:
- Write descriptions of images shown
- Write missing letters or words in a given sentence.
- Complete a statement or sentence.
- Summarise audio recordings.
- Write descriptive text on a given topic.
Listening
Respond to the audio clips or passages shown in this section & are required to answer them accordingly.
Types of questions
- Listen & Type: Listen to a person speaking & you will transcribe what you hear.
- Listen & Respond: Listen to an audio clip once & select the most suitable response to continue a conversation.
- Listen & Speak: Listen & then speak about the topic for 90 seconds.
Video Interaction (Speaking)
The section involves speaking responses based on the questions asked.
Types of questions
- Speaking Sample: Speaking Sample asks you to speak about a topic for 3 mins
- Read & then Speak: Speak about a given topic for 90s seconds based on the questions asked about the topic.
- Speak about the Photo: Speak about the Photo asks you to speak on a given image for 90 seconds.
- Listen & then Speak: Listen & then Speak asks you to listen to the given audio & speak about the topic for 90 seconds.
Eligibility for the Test
Candidates applying for the test must be above 13 years old and must have their passport or govt ID.
Fees of the Test
The cost of the test is $59, which is 4,897 rupees. Furthermore, there is no additional charge for mailing the results to the universities. Duolingo allows students to send their scorecards to unlimited universities. The Duolingo English Test is relatively affordable compared to the other English tests.
Requirements of the Test
The test can be given by the candidates at any time & from anywhere. Hence, making it extremely convenient for the students. Some of the requirements of the test includes:
- A well lit room
- Noise free environment
- A strong internet connection
- A computer/laptop
- Government ID/passport
Validity of the Test
The test remains valid for 2 years after the declaration of the results.
How to Prepare for Duolingo English Test?
Candidates taking the test should focus on learning English rather than the English test. Students should focus on improving their English proficiency in reading, writing, speaking & listening.
Speaking
- Take advantage of the time & utilise it by speaking to yourself and narrating a tale. While watching some movies and video clips in English, you can repeat what you hear to give a nice twist to your tongue.
- There are some sounds or sets of sounds which might be challenging to pronounce. Under such circumstances, refer to Google pronunciation & practise new words by speaking them to yourself.
Reading
- Read books, e-books, and blogs in English to give a pace to your reading skills.
- Students can also read articles in newspapers and magazines to develop their knowledge.
Writing
- Start with easy, stress-free writing. You can start writing your journal in English.
- You can make your to-do list and your bucket list in English. Once you gain interest, try writing up the essential things that you read in your own words in English. This allows freedom & helps students to develop an interest in Writing.
Listening
- Start with Music. Since music is the best muse, try listening to some English music that helps you to develop interest.
- You can also listen to some English video clips or watch English movies that help you to understand the words. You can even watch your favourite movie in English.
- You can listen to news and podcasts in English.
On the day of Exam
A stress free mind becomes the key ingredient for the success of the examination.
- Sleep well to avoid tiredness.
- Keep your documents ready
- Check your internet stability, webcam, microphone
- Avoid distractions & focus more on revision than learning new things.
Conclusion
The worldwide attention gained by the Duolingo test has made it acceptable in 5,000 universities. Furthermore, the increasing popularity of the test is due to its convenient method of assessment along with the affordability that makes it universally accessible to all. The test has become the best alternative for students who are dreaming of pursuing their education in foreign universities.
FAQs
Is Duolingo English Test more difficult than IELTS & TOEFL?
The test difficulty level is dependent on the strengths of the students. Some might find the Duolingo test more difficult than IELTS and TOEFL, while for others, the test might be relatively smoother and more manageable. For some students, the adaptive test might be difficult, while others might find the video interaction section quite challenging. Hence, it depends on the student’s ability & potential.
How many attempts can be given in the Duolingo Test?
The number of attempts is not restricted in the test. Students can take as many attempts as they want to improve their scores on the test.
What is the exam pattern of the Duolingo English Test?
The Duolingo Test is divided into 3 sections where the 2 major sections are adaptive & video interaction. The adaptive section is divided into 3 sub-sections: reading, writing & listening. This is followed by video interaction, which measures the students’ speaking ability.
If you are an aspirant looking to study at your dream university, book an appointment with AdmitX today and start your applications early to avail yourself of all the benefits.
